Vacuum tube socket terminal structure



July 22, 1952 R. R. SCOVILLE VACUUM TUBE SOCKET TERMINAL STRUCTURE 2SHEETS-SHEEIT 1 Filed May 18, 1946 July 22, 1952 R SCOWLLE 2,604,584

VACUUM TUBE SOCKET TERMINAL STRUCTURE Filed May 18, 1946 2 SHEETSSHEET 2Patented July 22, 1952 VACUUM TUBE SOCKET TERMINAL STRUCTURE Ray'R.Scoville, La Canada, Calif.

Application May18, 1946, .Serial No. 670,682

20 Claims. 1

.My invention relates toelectronic tube socket terminal structures; thatis, to a means which .iormsta unitary part of an electronic tubesocketand onoraround which may be mounted the various resistors, condensers,inductors, transformers, or other circuit components, particularly thosewhich are closely related to the electronic .tube which fi'ts the tubesocket. The objects of myinvention include:

First, to provide a structure of this character which reduces to aminimum the length of leads between .sock-et .terminals and the circuit'components, thus reducing stray wiring capacitance which mightotherwise have a detrimentaleffect .onwthe'electronic gcircuit involved,particularly at highfrequencies.

tSecond,;to-provide:a structure of thischaracter wherein :the variousresistors, condensers, inductors, and other components associated withthe -'termina1s;of ia' given vacuum tube socket .form a .unitary-zsubassembly which may "be readily installed or'removed and which requires aminimum of electrical connection with other such sub-assemblies toproduce a complete electronic :device, thereby. providing a-structurewhich materially simplifies the manufacture of electronic devices aswell as the servicing thereof.

Third, to provide a structure of this character which minimizes theelectrostatic capacity :or coupling between various components. mounted"thereon without sacrificing the advantages of compact assembly.

Fourth, to provide an' electronic tube socket terminal structure whichis adaptableto the various otherwise standard tube sockets including themidgettype.

With the 'above'and other objects in view as may appear hereinafter,reference is directed :to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is an elevational view of my terminal structure incorporating*a tube socket and showing an eleotronictube mountedtherein, andalsoshow-ing various circuit .components secured in place, the entireassembly :beingvshown 'in' its inverted position; that is, the positionoccupied iduringassembly and servicing of the electronic apparatusinvolving the assembly.

iFigure' 2 is .alongitudinal:sectional view thereof with the circuitcompQnentsomi-tted and {the tube partly in elevation.

Figure 3 is an end view-thereof taken from-the lines-4 of'Figure 1.

Figure .4 isatransverse sectional view thereof taken through 4-401Figure2.

Figure. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view or a modified formof the tube socket 'terminal structure in which an electrostaticshleldis provided withinthe structure.

a furthermodifled form of my invention wherein inductance coils orinterstage .transformersrare mounted thereon. 7 Referenceis firstdirected to Figures 1 to 41nclusive. In this constructiona tube. socketbody I is provided having a ring of openings which-re:- ceive metallicsocket elements tennlnating-int'erminal elements 2. The innerend ofeach-iterminal element is in the form of a-socketr whereas the other endthereof forms a tongueor. lug 4 protruding from the back side of'thebodyl.

The body I is provided with aflange i andris fastened to a chassis:frame -6-by a mountin collar ,1 and rivets 8. The mounting'collar limayinclude-ground lugs9. The tube socket body] is provided with'a centralborel 0. l

The tube socket body I is designed to receiv either a particular typeofvacuum :tube or any other type of electronic tube. For purposes ofillustration one type of tube is shown;- such .tube

comprises a base B, :anda ring oiypins-Rwhich make electrical contactwith the socket. elements 3 whichextend beyond block- I; thusformingterminal elements 2. While nottrue-of all .typesaif tubes, thetube illustrated is provided with a key stem which fits the central borel0. Thezbore and the key stem are providedwith a vmatingrlb and grooveiso that the tube may be-readily oriented.

The structure so far described'is conventional. My invention, whileincluding the socket as an :element'thereof, is directed-primarilyto amounting means which projects from the backside of the socket body. Morespecifically, in theillus- .trated examples of my invention-,saidmounting .meansiisin the form of a mountingtube H of is directed toFigures and 6.

outwardly through a side opening 2i.

are sets of radially positioned terminals which may take the form ofsoldering lugs or mounting lugs I2 and I3. Such terminals may be placedwherever desired on the mounting post but preferably the axes of themembers of each set define a common plane traversing the mounting post.One set is disposed adjacent the extremity of the mounting post and theother near its base end. Each lug is preferably in the form of a shortstrap of metal stamped to provide a hole I4 or a slot l5 as shown inFigure 2 or a pair of holes l6 as shown in Figure 5 through which themounting wires of various circuit components may be inserted. Each lugis provided with opposed shoulders which abut the surface of themounting tube and the inner extremities are split and bent away fromeach other so as to rivet the lug securely in place. The lugs arepreferably radially mounted with their surfaces parallel to the axis ofthe mounting tube in order to provide maximum spacing between the lugsthereby to reduce electrostatic coupling.

The mounting tube I! may have one or more side openings I'I near itsbase end adapted to receive a lead wire W which may extend upwardlywithin the mounting tube, over the top thereof, and join to one of themounting lugs. One or more wires may be brought through an opening I!orseveral such openings may be provided.

The sets of soldering lugs I 2 and I3 are adapted to support resistorsR, condensors C, and other circuit components. Some of these componentsmay be connected between the soldering lugs 4 of the tube socket body Iand the member of the extended set or soldering lugs l2, bypassing thelugs I3. In fact in some instances the base set it of soldering lugs maybe omitted.

In some instances it is desirable to interpose a shield within themounting tube II in order to minimize coupling effects between thevarious circuit components, and in this regard reference In this view isshown a metallic shield tube I8 surrounded by an insulating sleeve I9.The shield tube I8 is provided with an inner lug 20 adapted to bebrought If desired the shield I8 shown in Fig. 5, may occupy all or partof the tube II. The extended end of the shield tube I8 is provided withone or more radiating lugs 22 which overlie the upper end of themounting tube II. The insulating sleeve l9 protects the shield tube I8against electrical contact with the riveted inner ends of the solderinglugs I2 and I3.

As shown in Figure 8, the mounting tube I! may be extended to supportadditional circuit components such as inductance coils 23 or interstagetransformers or the like, and may also be provided with a third set ofterminal lugs 24.

The structure so far described is shown as related to a standard sizeelectronic tube. My invention, however, has equal application to themidget or miniature vacuum tubes, particularly in that such tubes areused primarily in high frequency applications where the problems ofinductive and capacitive effects are particularly troublesome. Referenceis therefore directed to Figure 7.

The conventional miniature socket 25 is provided with a ring of openingswhich receive the socket members 26 with terminal elements 21. Theterminal elements 21 protrude from the back side of the socket body toform soldering lugs 23. The socket members 26 receive the pins P of aminiature tube M. The miniature socket is adapted to be mounted in theconventional manner on a chassis. At least one type of miniature socketbody is provided with a central bore which receives a liner 29. Theliner serves as a rivet to hold the parts of the socket together. Theliner 29 is utilized to receive a tie bolt 30 which extends from thefront side of the socket body through a mounting tube 3! of insulatingmaterial. The mounting tube is provided with end pieces 32 and 33. Theend piece 33 fits around tthe extended inner end of the liner 29 withinthe ring of soldering lugs 28. The end piece 32 covers the mounting tube3i and supports a nut 35 into which the tie bolt 30 extends. Themounting tube 3! may be provided with the various mounting lugarrangements shown in the other figures of the drawings. By groundingthe bolt 30 through 2. lug, mounted under nut 34, a shielding effect isobtained as between elements mounted on opposite sides of tube 3!.

It will be observed that the socket body with its mounting tube mayserve to support all or most of the circuit components related to thetube for which the socket is intended, and thus by mounting the variouscomponents on the mounting tube the entire structure becomes aconvenient sub-assembly which may be readily and quickly installed orremoved. Furthermore, each of the components are readily accessible forrepair or change. It will also be observed that the particular mountingarrangement which my structure provides minimizes the electrostaticcapacity between the representative resistors, conductors, inductors, orother components. Still further, it is clear that in those instanceswhere space is at a premium my structure is particularly applicable.

Having fully described my invention it is to be understood that I do notwish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention isof the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A mounting means for connecting leads and circuit components to theelements of an electronic tube, comprising a socket for said tube, saidsocket having a plurality of socket terminals at least in part parallelto the axis of said socket. a tubular mounting post of insulatingmaterial extending from one side of said socket, said electronic tubeengaging and extending from the opposite side of said socket, a firstplurality of post terminals whose axes are radially disposed in a firstplane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said post, a secondplurality of post terminals whose axes are radially disposed in a secondplane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said post, said firstand second planes being displaced from each other along said post by adistance allowing convenient mounting of some of said components betweensaid first and second post terminals and some of said components betweensaid post terminals and said socket terminals, and a hollow metallicshield mounted within said tubular post, said tubular post and saidhollow shield being provided with openings for running some of theconnecting leads through said hollow shield, whereby said circuitcomponents are shielded from each other and from said leads by saidshield.

2. A mounting means for connecting leads and circuit components to theelements of an electronic tube, comprising a socket for said tube, saidsocket having a plurality of socket terminals at least in part parallelto the axis of said socket,

a tubular mounting post of insulating material extending from one sideof said socket, said electronic tube engaging and extending from theopposite side of said socket, a first plurality of post terminals whoseaxes are radially disposed in a first plane perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of said post, a secondplurality of post terminalswhose axes are radially disposed in a second plane perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of said post, said first and second planes beingdisplaced from each other along said post by a distance allowingconvenient mounting of some of said components between said first andsecond post terminalsand some of said components between said postterminals and said socket terminals, and a coil wound around said post,-

said coll constituting a part of said components.

3. A mounting means for circuit components comprising an insulatingblock, a plurality of metallic elements circularly disposed within saidblock, a mounting post carried by said block and extending therefrom ina direction away from one side of said block and from within the area ofsaid one side defined by said metallic elements, a first set ofterminals circumferentially positioned around the outer end of saidpost, and at least one additional set of terminals circumferentiallypositioned around said post between said metallic element and said firstset of terminals, whereby said metallic elements and said first andsecond terminals furnish means for connecting and mounting said circuitcomponents.

4. In a mounting means for circuit components associated with theelements of an electronic tube having a plurality of parallel prongs,the combination of: an electronic tube holder comprising an insulatingblock, a plurality of metallic socket elements mounted within said blockfor receiving said prongs and for mounting said tube on one side of saidblock, said socket elements terminating in a corresponding plurality offirst set of terminals projecting beyond the other side of said block,the locus of said first set of terminals defining a first circle, a postcarried by said block and extending therefrom in a direction away fromsaid other side and from within the area onsaid other side defined bysaid socket elements, said post being coaxial with said block, wherebysaid socket elements surround said post; a second set of terminalsradially positioned around the outer end of said post, the outerends ofsaid second set of terminals defining a second circle having a diameterat least equal to the diameter of said first circle, and at least athird set of terminals radially positioned around said post between.said first and second sets of terminals; the outer ends of said thirdset of terminals defining a third circle having a diameter at leastequal to the diameter of said first and second circles, whereby saidcircuit components are capable of being mounted in the space interveningbetween said first, second and third sets of terminals without spacialinterference between said circuit components.

5. A mounting means for circuit components Y associated with theelements of an electronic tube having a plurality of parallel prongs,said mounting means including an electronic tube holder comprising aninsulating block, a plurality of metallic socket elements mounted withinsaid block for receiving said prongs and for mounting said tube on oneside of said block, said elements having a corresponding plurality ofterminals projecting beyond the other side of said block andconstituting a first set of minals circumferentially positioned aroundsaid post, said second set of terminals being insulated from each otherand from said first set of terminals whereby said circuit components maybe connected and mounted in the space intervening between said first andsecond sets of terminals without spacial interference;

6. A mounting as defined inclaim 5 which also includes at least oneadditional set of terminals circumferentially positioned around saidpost, the terminals of said additional set being insulated from eachother and from said first and second sets of terminals.

7. In a mounting means for circuit components associated with theelements of an electronic tube, the combination of: a multiple terminalsocket for an electronic tube; a tubular mounting post of insulatingmaterial extending from the side of said socket opposite from said tube;a lateral opening substantially at the socket end of said post; aplurality of supporting terminals secured in the walls of and radiatingfrom said post to carry, at least in part, circuit componentselectrically connected with said socket; and a metallic member withinsaid post, said member, when grounded, forming at least a partialelectrostatic shield between the circuit components surrounding saidpost;

8. In a mounting means for circuit components associated with theelements of a vacuum tube, the combination of: a tube holder forreceiving avvacuum tube on one side of said holder, said tube holderhaving socket elements with terminals extending in ring form from theother side of said holder; a tubular-mounting post of insulatingmaterial connected to said other side of said holder and extending fromwithin the ring defined by said terminals, a plurality of supportingterminals secured in the walls of and radiating from said post forsupporting circuit components, at least some of said circuit componentsbeing electrically connected with said terminals on said tube holder,and a metallic member within said post, said member, when grounded,forming at least a partial electrostatic shield between the circuitcomponents surrounding said post.

9. In a mounting means for circuit components adapted to be connected toelements of an electronic tube, the combination of a tube holder havingsocket elements for receiving said tube on one side of said holder, saidsocket elements having terminals extending in ring form from the otherside of said holder; a mounting tube of insulating material connected tosaid holder and extending from within the ring defined by saidterminals, said mounting tube having at least one lateral opening nearits attached end through which a lead wire may be threaded and protrudedfrom the extremity of said mounting tube; a first set of terminals atsubstantially the outer end of said mounting tube, a second set ofterminals adjacent to the attached end of said post, said first andsecond sets of terminals and the terminals of said socket elementscoacting to provide facilities adapted to support in axially disposedrelation about said mounting tube a plurality of said circuitcomponents; and a metallic member within said mounting tube 7 to form atleast a partial electrostatic shield between the-circuit componentssurrounding said mounting tube when said member is connected to anelectrical reference point for said circuit components.

1-0. In. a, mounting means for circuit components associated withtheelements of an electronic tube having parallel prongs, the.combination of: a post of insulating material having a radially enlargedhead at one end, a ring of parallel socket elements within said head forreceiving said prongs, said elements terminating in a ring of lugsdisposed around the base of said post and around the juncture betweensaid post and saidhead, and axially spaced sets of terminals mounted onsaid'post for mounting said circuit components along the exterior ofsaid post.

11. A mounting means for circuit components associated with the elementsof an electronic tube having parallel prongs, including, a tube holdercomprising a block of insulating material having inner and outer facesand dimensioned to fill an opening in a metallic base plate with saidouter face, metallic socket members mounted in said block for receivingsaid prongs, said members having terminals extending in ring form beyondsaid inner face, a cylindrical seat at the inner face of said block ofsmaller diameter than the diameter of said ring, a hollow cylindricalmounting post of insulating material engaging said seat, said postextending away from said inner face, and a plurality of flat radiallydirected metallic terminal fins, having bifurcated bases, clinched tosaid mounting post, the fiat surfaces of said fins being in planes whichinclude the longitudinal axis of said post.

12. A mounting means for circuit components associated with the elementsofan electronic tube having parallel prongs, including a tube holdercomprising a block of insulating material having inner and outer facesand dimensioned to fill an opening in a metallic base plate with saidouter face, metallic socket members mounted in said block for receivingsaid prongs, said members having terminals extending in ring formoutwardly from said inner face, a cylindrical seat at the inner' faceof' said block. of smaller diameter than the diameter of said ring, ahollow cylindrical mounting postof insulating material engaging saidseat, said post extending away from said inner face, and radial metallicterminals clinched to the wall of said post, said terminals beingcapable of carrying circuit components longitudinally along the exteriorofsaid post.

13. A mounting means as defined in claim 12, in which said seatcomprises an annular recess in said block.

14. A mounting means as defined in claim 12, in which said seatcomprises a cylindrical boss extending beyond said inner face.

15. An electronic circuit device element for mounting a vacuum tube andrelated circuit components, comprising incombination with a vacuum tubesocket of the type typified by the octal base socket adapted at one sideto receive the prongs of a vacuum tube and having terminal lugsprojecting from the opposite side thereof, a terminal post of insulatingmaterial and of tubular construction mounted on said socket projectingaxially from the terminal lug side thereof, and a plurality ofconnecting members mounted, separately insulated, directly on the outerside wall of said terminal post to pro- J'ect outwardly from such wallin positions spaced axially from said socket terminal lugs, near the endof said post remote from said socket.

16. An electronic circuit subassembly component, comprising a terminalpost of insulating material, a flange of insulating material on the baseof said post, projecting a substantial distance radially outwardtherefrom and the end wall thereof opposite said terminal post beingformed as a vacuum tube socket, socket terminal connectors mounted,separately insulated, in the end wall of said fiange adjacent to saidterminal post and distributed around the base of said post, and separateconnectors individually mounted directly upon said insulating terminalpost at locations spaced longitudinally of said post from said socketterminal connectors.

17. 'An electronic circuit subassembly component as defined in claim 16in which said connectors are located in a plane which is substantiallyparallel to said flange, and intermediate the ends of said post, andadditional connectors mounted directly upon said insulating terminalpostat positions more removed from the base of the post than the positionsof the first-named connectors.

18. A mounting means for circuit components associated with elements ofan electronic tube having a plurality of parallel prongs, said mountingmeans including an electronic tube holder comprising an insulatingmember, a plurality of metallic socket elements mounted within saidmember for receiving said prongs and for mounting said tube on one sideof said member, said socket elements having a corresponding plurality ofterminals projecting beyond the other side of said member andconstituting a first set of terminals, a second set of terminals locatedbeyond said other side of said member, a third set of terminalspositioned further from said member than the second set of terminals,and a structure for maintaining the terminals of the first, second andthird sets in predetermined fixed and insulative relation with eachother comprising rigid means mechanically connected to said electronictube holder and to second and third sets of terminals and includinginsulating means separating the several terminals of the second set fromeach other and from those of the third set as well as includinginsulating means separating the several terminals of the second set fromeach other and from those of the third set as well as includinginsulating means separating the terminals of the third set from eachother.

19. A mounting means for circuit components associated with elements ofan electronic tube having a plurality of parallel prongs, said mountingmeans including an electronic tube holder comprising an insulatingmember, a plurality of metallic socket elements mounted within saidmember for receiving said prongs and for mounting said tube on one sideof said member, said socket elements having a corresponding plurality ofterminals projecting beyond the other side of said member andconstituting a first set of terminals, a second set of terminals locatedbeyond said other side of said member, a third set of terminalspositioned further from said member than the second set ofterminals,'insulating means supporting said second and third sets ofterminals, each of said terminals in said second and third sets beinginsulated from each other, and a structure for maintaining the terminalsof the first, second and third sets in a predetermined fixed andinsulating relation with each other comprising means mechanicallyconnected to said electronic tube holder and to said insulating means.

20. A mounting means for circuit components associated with elements ofan electronic device having a plurality of terminals; said mountingmeans including an electronic device holder comprising an insulatingmember; a first plurality of metallic terminals, mounted on saidinsulating member in insulated relationship with respect to each other,for connecting said device to said first terminals; said first terminalsbeing disposed around the axis of said insulating member; a second setof terminals disposed around said axis but spaced along said axis in thesame direction but further removed from said electronic device than thefirst set of terminals, insulating support means for said second set ofterminals, said second set of terminals being mounted on said insulatingsupport means in insulated relationship with respect to each other, anda structure for maintaining said first and second terminals in spacedand insulative re- 10 lationship with respect to each other, saidstructure including a post interconnecting said insulating member andsaid insulating support, the longitudinal axis of said post coincidingwith the axis of said insulating member.

RAY R. SCOVILLE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

